our henry home

Seven months today.

2012-01-24T16:49:00.002-06:00

Cool Stuff // 1.21.12

2012-01-21T00:03:00.003-06:00

A few things I've been obsessing about this week:

I must have this book // YouTube

Visual motivation // Kimberly of WW Tips & Inspiration

Awesome // Apple

I do this // Jules of Pancakes and French Fries

How to make Friends // Hayley of The Tiny Twig

One Bite at a Time: Get More Sleep.

2012-01-20T17:43:00.004-06:00

Gorgeous, no? You should feel it. Ahhh.

Next up, Project 18: Get More Sleep.

I told you it wasn't that exciting. I promise there are a lot more interesting (and photo-worthy) projects. Like create a family tradition, start a garden, and declutter your wardrobe. And I will get to those.

But to start off, I've been drawn to the simple, personal health-oriented bites.

It's very much my mode of operation to skip the necessary and attempt the (more) exciting. So far, however, it's been a struggle to implement and maintain the secondary type projects when the primary need-based projects fall by the wayside.

Just like drinking water, sleep is a requirement for my motivation and effectiveness.

I have an infant who still wakes up in the night to feed so a full night's sleep is out of my reach no matter wha...who am I kidding? My 3-year-old wakes up in the night on a regular basis, too.

I am in a bad cycle of staying up way too late after the kids are in bed for some "me" time, and then I end up sleeping until the very last minute in the morning. Consequently, the start of my day feels rushed, and I am dragging.

In the book, there are some excellent ideas for adjusting your sleep cycle and making the most of the hours you do get to rest, even if it's interrupted.

I'm most excited to try the warm towel scrub!

*****

Hello and welcome. In 2012, I am working through Simple Mom's e-book "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler." Each week, I will post about a project I plan to work on for the following week (and beyond). I will post regular thoughts and progress along the way.

If you're interested in buying the book (only $5!), would you consider purchasing it using the link listed above or the button on my sidebar? I'm an affiliate, and I will receive a portion of the each book sold through my affiliate link. Thanks!

Drink More Water: Results

2012-01-20T17:11:00.005-06:00

Oh. Hi, there. Remember me?

[Insert story about where I've been...leadership camping trip...sick baby...wisdom teeth pulled...blah, blah, blah.]

Now that that's out of the way, I have been drinking more water. So Project 34 has been a success.

It is not complete, however.

I am still not drinking enough water.

But I'm working on it. I'm pretty sure these projects are not meant to be complete in a week.

Right?

One way I've tried drinking water that has made it more "special" (plain water always seems so boring) is to infuse it with apple slices. A nice change from your average lemon or lime water.

Also, it's lovely to photograph.

See?

I've also stopped drinking sodas as a part of a fast I'm doing with Landon, and that definitely drives me to drink more water. Soda -- what I was drinking by default -- is not an every day option.

Because the idea of never, ever having a Dr. Pepper is something worth a proper mourning period, Landon and I built in a loop hole: We can drink a soda with a meal when we're out of town. It's the perfect limit. And so far, we're adhering.

I'll be back later with my next Bite. I'll tell you now, it will be about as exciting as drinking more water. Read: not.

In the meantime, here's my reason for being absent. Note all the snot and screeching.

*****

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

2012-01-11T22:27:00.004-06:00

Landon has seriously hit the nail on the head for the past few years with his Christmas gifts to me. It's because he started shopping Etsy.

Shopping Etsy requires planning ahead of time for shipping of items made by one person (in most cases) in small batches. My love language is quality time, and I consider this type of thinking ahead a huge show of love.

When I receive gifts like this, I know that my man spent time thinking about me, picking out a gift he knows I will love...before Christmas Eve at 8 p.m.

I would certainly not turn down "real" diamond studs, but these babies are really more my style.

Understated. Clever. Lovely.

In the words of Landon's cousin, "Those are even better than the real thing!"

Please excuse the black circles under my eyes. My nearly-7-month-old still doesn't sleep through the night. Not.even.close. Good thing I have cute earrings to distract from my sleepiness.

Ask and you shall receive.

2012-01-10T09:06:00.003-06:00

It is quickly melting, but, man, was it ever gorgeous coming down.

Winter.

2012-01-09T14:29:00.003-06:00

If we could get some snow piled up on those bare branches, that would be awesome. Cold rain isn't nearly glamorous. I have the firewood poised and ready.

One Bite at a Time: Drink More Water.

2012-01-06T23:26:00.005-06:00

cool. clean. refreshing.

Because starting at the beginning is boring, I'm starting with Project 34: Drink More Water. It seems simple, yet I know how much better I feel when I'm drinking water instead of my normal beverage of choice (cough*DietDr.Pepper*cough).

I have read quite a few suggestions both on Simple Mom and other sites for how to drink the recommended number of ounces of water everyday. I will experiment with a few in the coming week, and let you know which works best for me. I am quite certain that I often graze when what would really help me feel better is water. Drinking water helps me feel more clear-minded and motivated to do something other than sit around mindlessly clicking links and munching on Cheez-its.

Stay tuned...

*****

Hello and welcome. I am kicking off 2012 by working through Simple Mom's e-book "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler." Each week, I will post about a project I plan to work on for the following week (and beyond). I will post regular thoughts and progress along the way.

If you're interested in buying the book (only $5!), would you consider purchasing it using the link listed above or the button on my sidebar? I'm an affiliate, and I will receive a portion of the each book sold through my affiliate link. Thanks!

Getting out of the way.

2012-01-04T17:07:00.006-06:00

(twenty)12.

If I had a dollar for every post I've read about resolutions and goals in the past two weeks, I would be a rich, rich woman. I have several lists myself, to be honest. And on New Year's Day, I was praying, telling God all that I hoped to accomplish in several different categories when I said something that the Holy Spirit used to get my attention.

"I know I've planned to complete many of these things before and failed, but this time is different. I just need to get out of my own way."

It just sorta came out.

I. My. Own.

As soon as I said it, I stopped, my soul knowing before my brain what was coming.

"Wrong. You need to get out of My way."

Gulp.

It quickly became one of those moments in which I instinctively went to my knees. Silent, listening, where I should have been from the beginning.

New Year's Resolution 2012: Get out of His way.

*****

Because I do crave structure, I am going to be working through Simple Mom's e-book: "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler" and blogging about it here. Many of the projects are already on my 2012 to-do list, and Tsh breaks everything down beautifully in easy-to-digest bites. Look for the first post later this week.

I've had the book since August, and read through it several times. I have no question that it's awesome. If you think you'd like to join me on the journey, won't you click the link listed above (I'll include it in all my posts) or the button on my sidebar when you purchase the book? I'm an affiliate and will receive a portion of the sale if you buy using the links on this blog. Thanks!

Somebody got a new iPhone.

2012-01-04T15:38:00.004-06:00

Lylah loves leaves.

And somebody really loves Instagram.

Floating.

2012-01-03T16:43:00.007-06:00

I've started thinking about how much longer it will be before Lylah's too big for her cradle in her nursery nook. I comfort myself by repeating, "Not yet. Not yet. Not...yet."

love the henrys.

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

christmas 2011.

2011-12-29T16:17:00.003-06:00

nearly every photo from christmas morning at my gramma's house is grainy, blurry & yellow. and yet, i am madly in love with every single one. my favorite is noticing the smiles of my family members in the background of photos of my children. how blessed am i.

music: "a marshmallow world" by brenda lee & "the first noel" by laura caviani

on gifts from the christmas list. sorta.

2011-12-29T11:03:00.013-06:00

my mom doesn't do gift lists. she doesn't like baby registries, and apparently she doesn't really like christmas lists. it's too easy, and i think she likes the challenge of finding something the recipient didn't even know she wanted but will totally adore.

i had a nut chopper on my wish list for christmas. it was a lovely number, picked out from williams-sonoma.

i got a nut chopper alright. from my mom. big surprise: it is not the one from my list. it's a fabulously fabulous retro, hand-crank nut chopper. it works like a charm, and i sorta just want to stare at it all day.

i like it way better than the one on my list.

six months.

2011-12-24T11:34:00.001-06:00

half a year? already?

how can it be?

edited to add: 18 lbs., 27.5 inches, and, obviously, perfect.

three little monkeys.

2011-12-13T20:50:00.000-06:00

how to be the world's awesomest mom.

2011-12-13T20:26:00.003-06:00

rim a glass of cold chocolate milk with chocolate syrup and roll in sprinkles. be the awesomest mom in the world.

million dollar smile.

2011-12-12T22:05:00.003-06:00

she quite literally has the world wrapped around her finger right now with this smile. we all go willingly.

truth in the tinsel: day 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12.

2011-12-12T21:15:00.007-06:00

day 8: zechariah said Jesus would "shine like the sun"
day 9: joseph
day 10: joseph's pillow; he heard from the angel in a dream
day 11: Jesus, Immanuel - "God with us"
day 12: joseph and a pregnant mary traveled to bethleham for the census,
surrounded by people they didn't know during an already scary time.

grace.

2011-12-12T17:59:00.009-06:00

i'm adding music to the old ipod shuffles we're filling for the kids for their christmas presents. i have ellie's full, and i'm testing it to be sure everything loaded. the second song to play is from this album, the one that played while i was in labor with lylah. a swirl of feelings come over me as i remember these peaceful lullabies laden with scripture playing the soundtrack to one of the hardest, most intense things i've ever done.

and i think of how God's grace is like that everyday: ever-present through our highest highs and our lowest lows.

HE IS NEVER ABSENT FROM US.

no. matter. what.

grace surrounds. always. a soundtrack to each breath, no matter how ragged or labored. He hears every cry.

a book recommendation on the topic (+ others): one thousand gifts. it will change your life.

mary, elizabeth & ellie: good gifts.

2011-12-07T20:35:00.006-06:00

for some reason, ellie has got it into her head that she doesn't want to have a baby. she tells me regularly that she wants to be a wife, but she doesn't want to be a mommy. the idea scares her. it doesn't matter how many times i tell her that anything scary related to mommy-hood is worth it. she is adamant. no baby.

just now, she came from her bed crying. we've been working through our advent activity and reading plenty of christmas books so the motherhood stories of both mary and elizabeth are fresh in our minds. with tears streaming down her face, ellie told me again tonight, "i don't want a baby, mama!" i told her, as i always do, that i hope she changes her mind someday, and she doesn't need to worry about it right now. then she said, "but i'm afraid Jesus will ignore me and give me one anyway!"

smiling at the way her mind works, i told her that she could trust Jesus. that He wouldn't give her anything she can't handle, that He only gives good gifts.

and again, on repeat, He speaks through them.

truth in the tinsel: day 7.

2011-12-07T17:54:00.005-06:00

decorated cds to symbolize mary's singing in worship to God.

the tub.

2011-12-07T00:56:00.003-06:00

there are tracks carved into the side of the tub from the hard water, a hole eaten away in the bottom of the faucet by minerals on metal. the paint is peeling to show the old tile underneath. red rust splotches white porcelain.

#1 a bathtub for soaking the day away
#2 water
#3 a house that's stood for decades, layered in history

truth in the tinsel: day 6.

2011-12-06T00:51:00.000-06:00

(mary & elizabeth. the circles are their pregnant tummies.)

truth in the tinsel: day 5.

2011-12-05T00:35:00.000-06:00

(mary. twice.)

snow!

2011-12-05T00:29:00.000-06:00

truth in the tinsel: day 4.

2011-12-04T00:27:00.000-06:00

(the angel gabriel.)

truth in the tinsel: day 3.

2011-12-03T00:22:00.001-06:00

(zechariah.)

a guest post with ivory john.

2011-12-02T17:27:00.004-06:00

i have a guest post up over at Ivory John today. i'm talking about the little things.

A single teal-handled paintbrush in a recycled mason jar does it. So does a beam of the late afternoon sun shining across my otherwise messy living room. When I allow myself to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to “slow down already,” the fog clears from the windows of a hurry-up, try-hard life, and I can see.
I can see that it’s the little things that matter.
It is a day-to-day journey for me to stop and behold the wonder that is my life. I am so easily ensnared in things to do, places to go, people to see that I miss the blessings and miracles that swirl around me, waiting for my head to stop spinning with the urgent go, Go, GO! of my days. They are presents from a creative King who wants to show off His glory. And I’m too busy to enjoy the gift.

head over to Ivory John to read the rest!

Thanks again, John, for the opportunity!!!

truth in the tinsel: day 2.

2011-12-02T16:29:00.006-06:00

no, lylah didn't make one.

(she was sleeping.)

ellie's bff from joy school, noelle, came over today.

we gave her the honor of tearing off today's link.

nothin' like watching paint dry, i always say.

(he was mad that he had to be done with the paintbrush.)

truth in the tinsel: day 1

2011-12-01T16:07:00.006-06:00

we're doing the truth in the tinsel advent devotional this december. go buy it. it's awesomeness.

see that paper chain to the left? that's our advent countdown.

thank goodness we started counting down.

we put the tree up thanksgiving evening, and ellie's been asking e-ver-y day

whether tomorrow is christmas. um. no.

again. yay for the chain.

don't touch the hurt.

2011-11-25T17:06:00.009-06:00

it's black friday, and i'm feeling pretty melancholy. i'm not out shopping, though i have been perusing the internet a bit for christmas gifts. i've been decorating for christmas, no one has to work, my babies are napping beautifully on this cloudy day. thanksgiving leftovers abound, including nanny's to-die-for chocolate pie.

so what is it?

*****

grayson hurt his ankle on monday night while running around mamo's house with ellie and michael david. he has not walked since. he has bouts of fussiness, but he's been happy quite a bit, too. he crawls or scoots around, but has not walked a step since he hurt it. it took us awhile to figure out it was his ankle. he wasn't being specific about where it hurt, and there wasn't any noticeable bruising or swelling until yesterday when his little ankle started to turn black and blue.

while we were trying to figure out what was wrong, we would apply pressure in various places on his leg, turning his joints ever so slightly to gauge his reaction.

at one point, he said, "don't touch the hurt, mama!" before starting to cry.

i have to admit that before there was any visible injury, it was starting to drive me nuts that gray wouldn't walk. i couldn't see anything wrong, and he wasn't articulating the problem. understandable. he's three. nonetheless, i was frustrated.

and then, the Holy Spirit.

"see, child? you are like he."

and i see it. God reaches into my life, applying pressure, turning joints, and i scream out, "don't touch the hurt!" i don't want to go through the process of identifying the problem. i just want to cry. i want to be upset that my life is not perfect instead of going through the pains of healing it.

remaining bent and on my knees, crawling through days, seems easier than exploring the holdup, stretching out to walk.

but healing does not come without work, without risking momentary pain. stepping out with unsure footing is required.

luckily, Jesus is faithful to meet me. He catches me and sets me upright.

"then in their trouble they called to the Lord, and he saved them from their distress. He healed them with his command and saved them from the grave."
-psalm 107:19-20

*****

i think i'm sad today because no matter how much healing the Lord does, i will not be completely whole until i am in His presence. christmas commercials and even christmas music depict this magical happiness that should suddenly sprout forth because thanksgiving has passed. and i am certainly filled with joy at all the blessings that have been poured out on me. there are too many to count. but the perfection is not there. not yet. i'm still missing something. Someone.

someday His touch will reach every last ounce of hurt, brokenness, loneliness. crawling will not be an option, walking effortless.

no Christmas lights required.

until then, this bandaged soul limps on.

five months on thanksgiving.

2011-11-24T16:51:00.006-06:00

still dark-haired, dark-eyed
likes to suck her fingers
has tried rice cereal, but only eaten it twice
was dedicated & prayed for by her sister
wears 9 month or 6-12 month clothes
still wakes once (or twice...) in the night to nurse
adores her siblings
had her first thanksgiving
decorated her first christmas tree

solid.

2011-11-16T21:03:00.004-06:00

a video account of lylah eating her first solid food during which i exhibit the world's worst videoing skills. in my defense, it's difficult to video while feeding the baby with my finger. and i'm using a flip camera. can you imagine how hard it would have been if i'd had one of those contraptions our parents took home movies with? nevertheless, she appears to be a fan. also featured, grayson saying, "smoovie."

a birthday gift.

2011-11-08T17:18:00.002-06:00

what better way to celebrate the beginning of the last year of my 20s than with teal corduroy? none, i say. none.

the first of at least 60 baby teeth: lost.

2011-11-08T17:07:00.003-06:00

this is about how ellie felt when her first tooth fell out yesterday. we had blood and tears and...yeah. it was an event. luckily, the tooth fairy left her four quarters, and she's just about moved on with her life now.

whether or not i have is another matter altogether.

rock the pumpkin 2011.

2011-11-02T22:03:00.021-05:00

my fireman, peacock and snow white.

rock the pumpkin at saf.

cousin michael david.
cutest lumberjack ever.

aimee & malachi + bailey & briley + sarah & lylah
all three babies born within a month of each other.

ellie and her o-m-g GORGEOUS friend hannah.

mamo and pa.

blue + blue + brown.

2011-10-24T17:49:00.004-05:00

four months.

2011-10-24T17:34:00.007-05:00

definitely brown eyes
hair is still dark
i'm still obsessed with her ears
she rolled front-to-back for the first time on saturday, oct. 22
she giggles at people
great quantities of drool are flowing
she likes to be at home the best
she's highly entertained by ellie and grayson
she smiles with her whole face

playing with toys.

2011-10-21T17:55:00.002-05:00

fall decor.

2011-10-21T17:43:00.007-05:00

grayson goes to the pumpkin patch.

2011-10-21T17:27:00.010-05:00

the backyard in fall.

2011-10-21T16:51:00.010-05:00

busy bags.

2011-10-21T16:23:00.010-05:00

highly recommended. for car trips to gigi's and otherwise.

chillin.

2011-09-29T10:17:00.005-05:00

lylah has discovered she loves the bumbo.

she likes to sit and watch her siblings play.

she still can't do a thing with her hair.
nothing will make it lay down. nothing.

she's also starting laughing.
there is no sweeter sound.

egg, bacon & toast cups.

2011-09-28T18:17:00.004-05:00

easy.

delicious.

gorgeous.

three months (aka oh-my-stars-this-child-is-beautiful).

2011-09-24T16:36:00.002-05:00

lylah is 3 months old today.

getting ready for a bath.

her ears. oh, her ears.

my hearts explodes. really, it explodes.

(because it's fun...ellie at 3 months & grayson at 3 months.)

i is for insect.

2011-09-22T21:50:00.003-05:00

ellie's class is reviewing the letter "i" this week. they have a box in the classroom where they've been putting things that start with the letter, and ellie told me monday that she wanted to make an insect to put in the box. "because insect starts with "i," mom. so does intelligent. intelligent starts with "i," and i'm intelligent."

the eyes are my favorite.

a is for apple.

2011-09-19T15:42:00.002-05:00

by grayson reed.

big girl crib.

2011-09-19T11:18:00.007-05:00

lylah is taking her first nap in her big girl crib as we speak. the crib was grayson's until a few days ago when he got a big boy bed (post coming soon), and we moved his crib into ellie's room. lylah will stay in our room at night for now because she still wakes up to eat. but once she sleeps through the night consistently, she'll have a perpetual slumber party with her big sister. until then, she can nap in her big girl crib while her siblings are at school. i think she likes it.

pink quilt, a gift from mamo (from the dove's nest in waxahachie)
cloud sheet, from the pottery barn outlet in san marcos

lately.

2011-09-19T10:51:00.003-05:00

breakfast 3.

2011-09-01T10:14:00.003-05:00

whole wheat english muffin with smashed avocado, red pepper and a sprinkle of garlic powder
+ strawberries topped with turbinado sugar

storage solutions: kids' closets.

2011-08-31T18:21:00.015-05:00

lately, i have been feeling the effects of an added person in our little 1300 square feet, and my brain is whirling with things i need to organize! and put away! and just move off of horizontal surfaces, please! please! please! i'm having a hard time focusing this post because there are so many things i want to do, and i'm having a hard time developing a plan.

SO.

i'm starting out with the two built-in closets in the kids' rooms. there is tons of space that isn't anywhere close to full, and i know i could be using it more effectively. i am going to post photos of the closets and...hope for inspiration to strike. no, really. that's the purpose of this post. and if you want to comment with any and all ideas, i'd be forever grateful. thankssomuch.

gray's closet.

section 1 -- in season clothes, shoes, pj's, socks, etc.
(you will soon see gray's closet is way neater than ellie's.
he doesn't try on clothes excessively.)

section 2 -- cooler weather clothes, underwear, too-big-for-lylah cloth diapers.

section 3 -- some of lylah's clothes and some toys.

section 4 -- more of lylah's clothes and some more toys.

ellie's closet.

section 1 -- clothes, shoes, hair ties, etc.

section 2 -- more clothes, dress up tutus, ballet bag.

section 3 -- too-small-for-ellie/too-big-for-lylah clothes, ellie baby momentos, etc.

section 4 -- more too-small/too-big, art easel, other random junk ellie sticks in there

drawers -- there are four of these in each kids' closet. they are big.

cubbies -- there are four of these in each kids' closet. they are HUGE.

help....?

birthday boys.

2011-08-31T10:42:00.043-05:00

michael and grayson have birthdays just 11 days apart (august 7 & august 18) so jo and i decided to throw a joint party this year for their 2nd and 3rd birthdays. golf was our theme, and i really have to give jo all the credit for such an adorable party. i made the cupcakes and was in on a bit of the brainstorming. other than that, it was all her.

breakfast 2.

2011-08-30T10:23:00.003-05:00

watermelon + vanilla yogurt with granola and blueberries
+ whole wheat english muffin with whipped cream cheese

laughter.

2011-08-29T11:11:00.003-05:00

everything ellie does today is cracking me up. seriously. i've been laughing for hours.

"little miss muffin sat on her sheep."

project no. 3.

2011-08-29T08:55:00.006-05:00

establish a morning routine.

five things:

shower
drink a glass of water
brain dump
sit outside
eat something nourishing

four and five.

whole wheat english muffin + egg + colby jack + baby spinach

4 years.

2011-08-27T13:40:00.003-05:00

ellie had her 4-year checkup on the 17th. only six months late. ahem.

she weighs 42 pounds (75th percentile) and is 3'6.5" (95th percentile).

the doctor said that if she follows her current curve, she will be 5-foot-9.

love those (long) legs.

two months.

2011-08-24T19:06:00.010-05:00

edited to add: at 2 months old, lylah ruth weighs 13 lbs. 4 ozs. (90th percentile), is 23.5 inches long (90th percentile), and her head is 15 inches (50th percentile). also, she is not a fan of shots.

"hello. i'm two months old today."
well, almost. she was born at 8:21 p.m.

oh, how i love her.

salvation is here.

2011-08-23T10:49:00.006-05:00

the more students filled the foyer, the hotter it got. a quick scan around the place found makeshift fans waving in front many a face. despite the heat, smiles spread across lips. most especially, mine.

my heart fluttered as the band started worship. shoulder-to-shoulder, students stood, filling the pews with potential. the living, breathing answer to battles fought in prayer.

i paced the back row with thanksgiving weighing heavy in my belly. hands raised, resisting the urge to shout, i felt so proud and so small at the same time. our hard work, though just beginning, is going to pay off. but the credit is God's. our greatest efforts are nothing without Him.

suddenly, i needed to be high. i needed the best view of this miracle God is working. i climbed to the back corner of the sound booth and looked. i looked at 225 souls and thought, "i am like zacchaeus, a sinner desperate to see the work of Jesus, for just a glimpse."

dozens were saved. dozens rededicated their lives. saved by and rededicated to the One who said this to zacchaeus and continues to say it to us:

“today salvation has come to this house... for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” -luke 19:9-10

the first day of school.

2011-08-16T17:01:00.003-05:00

today was the first day of school. a few months ago, before the end of last year and before lylah was born, i didn't think i'd still be a teacher on this day. i'd turned in my resignation because leaving lylah (and the other two as well, honestly) was out of the question. i wanted to nurse. and i desperately wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. on a whim, i included the possibility of continuing to work with the school via the yearbook in my resignation letter. i truly, truly love my school and knew it would be hard to find someone to take over the yearbook job. the learning curve is steep, and it takes up a lot of time for an english teacher. even so, i really didn't expect it to work out.

i was wrong.

it has more than worked out. the school has given me everything i asked for: one class period (for yearbook I, II & III), an afternoon time slot, and the opportunity to maintain health insurance for my sweet family of five. i am still a part of the team at tlca while still very much a stay-at-home mom. i can take my big kids to preschool as well as attend their events there and pick them up when it's over. i can nurse my baby. i can go grocery shopping with my kids and take them to the park. i can do laundry and clean bathrooms during the day if i want to. i can also get showered and dressed for work and wear a tlca name badge. i can go to football games. i can hug my students of two years who are now 8th graders. i can supervise the creation of the third eagle charter yearbook. it is mind-blowingly, unbelievably ideal. totally perfect. God is such a showoff.

i love being a teacher. and i love being a mom. i truly have the best of both worlds.

today was great. my staff is great. i can already see their creative, artistic minds turning. i can't wait to see what they come up with over the next several months. making it even sweeter was that class was sandwiched on either side by my having lunch with my kids and putting them down for their naps.

it's going to be a great year.

smiles.

2011-08-10T13:08:00.004-05:00

lylah smiled her first smile at me while pa was holding her at church on sunday, aug. 7. she was six weeks and two days. perhaps she was smiling in celebration of her big brother's third birthday. she's smiled several times since then. soon enough, i will catch it on camera. until then, trust me, it's a beautiful smile.

one.two.THREE!

2011-08-07T19:50:00.017-05:00

it cannot be. this was just yesterday.

oh, my sweet son. because of you, i understand what mamas are talking about when they talk about how deeply connected they feel to their boys. the feeling usurps explanation. all i know is everything about your little self makes me crazy with love. i hope your third birthday is a great one. watching you grow brings me great joy.

a little family party.

so big.

2011-08-07T19:37:00.002-05:00

last day as a 2-year-old.

2011-08-06T19:33:00.005-05:00

big, big boy.

2011-08-04T23:30:00.002-05:00

so a couple weeks before lylah was born, kylah started potty training michael. OK, jo. no pressure. your kid is only AN ENTIRE YEAR YOUNGER than mine. (they also gave up their sassies at the same time, md a full year younger, and only because he started it. geez. no. 1 parent over here.) but i didn't have it in me. the thought of running him to and fro from the potty and pulling his shorts and undies down was too, too much for me, rounder than round with child.

shortly (days?) after lylah came, however, i was ready. changing gray felt like changing a 10-year-old when i had a newborn to change as well. he was excited too, thanks to seeing his baby cousin pee and poop on the potty.

i wasn't nearly as organized and premeditated as jo. (she's so stinkin' fabulous.) i just bought some undies and put him in them. he peed in them a few times. pooped in them once or twice. and then he didn't. ever again. i was stressed about having him sleep in underwear. then one day landon just decided to try it at nap time, and the boy woke up dry. "OK, well, surely he can't go all night yet. maybe we'll try once we run out of diapers," i said. then one night landon forgot to put on his diaper before bed and, you guessed it, the boy woke up dry. he's yet to wet the bed. ::knock on wood:: his sister never did either. ::knock on wood::

he can pull his own pants down and climb up on the big potty all by himself. putting the pants back on is another story. i'm pretty sure he could do it. he just likes to be naked. stinker.

the whole process was ridiculously easy. i was expecting it to be tragic with a boy. i guess waiting until the kid was nearly three was a good move. again. ellie potty trained at the exact same time.

oh. yeah. he's almost three. no.i.don't.wanna.talk.about.it.

art camp 2011.

2011-08-04T17:31:00.029-05:00

last week, ellie went to art camp. she went last year, too, and loved it. a repeat this year was non-negotiable. the theme was "pop art." the teacher -- miss becca -- was the same as last year, and she remembered ellie. of course she did. it worked out great because my sister was in town, and she watched the other two kids while just ellie and i went to camp. it was a great time alone with my eldest babe. she was truly in her element.

day 1.

day 2.

day 3.

day 4.

day 5.
(on day 5, daddy took her. i sent him with the camera. he forgot it in the car. silly daddy. these are from when she came home.)

happy.

2011-08-04T17:17:00.001-05:00

lunch in a fort.

2011-08-04T17:05:00.003-05:00

ellie loves workbooks.

2011-08-04T17:03:00.002-05:00

like, a lot.

prepared.

2011-08-04T17:02:00.002-05:00

six weeks tomorrow.

2011-08-04T16:47:00.004-05:00

how can it be?

pretty shoes.

2011-08-04T16:36:00.002-05:00

my sister went to visit my grandparents in north carolina recently and then came to visit me last week. she brought with her these beauties from n.c. it remains unclear whether they were my grandmother's or my dad's shoes. either way, they are fabulous. now to find the perfect spot to show them off.

the buttons are the best part. love, love it.

(thank you, grandmother!!!)

are there words?

2011-07-31T23:12:00.001-05:00

photo by crystal.

my house right now.

2011-07-25T11:52:00.001-05:00

a new friend.

2011-07-21T14:53:00.002-05:00

we heart sophie.

lylah ruth: 3 weeks.

2011-07-15T23:57:00.006-05:00

lylah ruth: 3 weeks.

her hair is nutso.
she's starting to like her sassy more.

she continues to scream extremely loud.

she has super cute shoes.

it is near impossible to photograph her with her siblings.

lylah ruth: newborn photo shoot.

2011-07-13T19:41:00.004-05:00

lylah ruth: 2 weeks, 4 days.
love, love, love.

technicolor.

2011-07-12T11:41:00.014-05:00

they pick their own clothes when we stay home. and sometimes when we don't.

there is no rhyme or reason.

just whatever feels right.

i admire that about them.

who says patriotic plaid shorts can't go with a surfer-sunset-scene tee?

or teal stripes and pink flowers is a bit busy?

not them.

they even make chipped nail polish look good.

and light for the lost hats stolen from mamo's playroom.

even if they are a little too big.

if you ask me, these two are a lotta bit too big.

fluffy bum.

2011-07-12T11:33:00.000-05:00

lylah's first pocket diaper.

baby bird.

2011-07-12T11:29:00.003-05:00

this weekend, auntie jo gave lylah her first real bath. apparently, she wasn't a fan.

delana's birthday weekend.

2011-07-11T10:57:00.001-05:00

delana, kylah, mandy, lylah and i got away to the quaintest little bed & breakfast in blanco this weekend. we ate and shopped and talked and rested. it was awesome. a great way to celebrate our amazing matriarch. somehow, all i managed to photograph was food*. what does that tell you?

*those are fredricksburg peaches, people. heaven in a fuzzy little package. so.good.

lylah ruth: 2 weeks.

2011-07-08T10:49:00.000-05:00

9 pounds, 5 ounces and "perfect" according to the doctor.
yes, we know.

the daily dose.

2011-07-07T19:26:00.004-05:00

snuggly.

2011-07-06T17:34:00.001-05:00

after an afternoon of swimming + a bath.

all three.

2011-07-05T14:21:00.002-05:00

the first two are so big. there are three. THERE ARE THREE. how will my heart ever keep from exploding?

long.

2011-07-05T14:08:00.002-05:00

handy man.

2011-07-05T13:02:00.003-05:00

for jo jo.

2011-07-05T11:57:00.004-05:00

she's smiling for you! :)

4:30 a.m.

2011-07-05T11:50:00.002-05:00

wiiiide awake.

notice the background is blurry. i'm swingin' and swayin' and bouncin' away trying to get her sleepy.

shortly after this shot, daddy was officially called in for reinforcements. he got to look at those pretty eyes for awhile while mama slept. such a good daddy for such a sweet baby girl.

wool.

2011-07-04T15:39:00.009-05:00

so.in.love.
with wool. and the baby, too.

already?

2011-07-01T19:07:00.003-05:00

lylah ruth: 1 week.

first cloth diaper.

2011-06-30T23:52:00.000-05:00

lylah wore the last of her free hospital diapers this evening so we busted out the cloth. we are now officially cloth diapering. she wore the one in these photos for approximately 4.25 minutes before she pooped.

she likes them!

lylah ruth: she's here!

2011-06-28T15:42:00.018-05:00

I'll start from the beginning.

Thursday, June 23, evening: Four days before my due date, Landon and I decided to go out on a date. I'd gone to the doctor that morning, was dilated to a 2 and 50 percent effaced for the second week in a row. The doctor commented that the baby was big and guessed she was at least 8.5 pounds. After much deliberation, I decided I would not schedule an induction and was very at peace with the decision once I finally made it. Landon and I went to eat at McAllister's and to a movie after that. The movie theater is across the shopping center from the restaurant so Landon suggested we walk. Walking sounded good. After the movie, we decided to go to HEB. I'd been needing to stock up on groceries for when the baby decided to make her appearance, and doing so with Landon's help sounded perfect. We walked around HEB for around an hour and came home about 11. We paid the babysitter and were both fairly awake so we stayed up talking for quite awhile. We just had our sprinkler system fixed and it was the first evening it was set to run. We stood out in the front yard for a long time, enjoying the night air, watching the sprinklers and chatting. We finally went to bed around 2 a.m.

Friday, June 24, 8 a.m: I slept great, and woke up to a sort of dripping feeling that I hadn't felt before. I wasn't sure at first, but after a couple of clothing changes, I determined that my water had broken sometime in the night. I started moving around for the day, and larger gushes of water started coming when I changed positions. I was having very, very mild contractions every 15 minutes or so. I texted Evelyn and Pam, my doulas, to tell them that I thought my water had broken. I told them it was clear, that I was having super spaced out contractions, and that I didn't want to go to the hospital yet. They confirmed that it was OK to wait a little while, but to keep a close eye on it. My sister-in-law, Kylah, and I had already planned to take the kids to the pool for the morning, and they were so excited so I continued with the plan. (I didn't tell that part to the doulas!) We took lunch, and I stayed on the side while the rest of the crew splashed about in the water.

around 1 p.m.: I decided to call the doctor's office to let them know my water had broken. My contractions weren't getting closer together, and I knew I couldn't go a real long time with broken water without giving birth. As expected, they asked me to go to labor and delivery. So we packed up the pool party and headed home. I got the kids down for a nap, got our friend Krislenn settled to watch the kids, and took a shower. Contractions remained 12-15 minutes apart but started getting a bit stronger. As I was getting dressed after my shower, I cried thinking about how Lylah would soon be on the outside of me instead of inside. I had been longing for this day, but it was still bittersweet. We headed to the hospital.

headed to the hospital: 39 weeks, 4 days

around 3:30 p.m.: We arrived at labor and delivery, and I was taken into the evaluation room. They hooked me up to the monitors, asked me the usual questions, and did a test to be sure it was amniotic fluid that I was leaking. I was still dilated to a 2, 80 percent effaced and my cervix was posterior (still facing the back). My doulas arrived, and we talked happily until the results returned. It was definitely amniotic fluid. Contractions were still spaced out and fairly mild. By this time, it was obvious that my regular o.b. would not be delivering me since it was Friday afternoon, and she was not on call. I was slightly disappointed, but OK with Dr. Sutliff. All they do is come in and catch the baby anyway, right? We moved to a labor and delivery room.

around 4:30 p.m.: Instead of getting closer together, my contractions started getting further apart. While I was in the bathroom, one of the nurses spoke to Evelyn about how the doctor was not happy with my contractions slowing since my water had been broken for at least eight and a half hours at this point. The nurse knew I wanted my birth to be unmedicated and natural, but asked Evelyn if she thought I'd be willing to accept the very lowest drip of pitocin to try to speed up contractions. I was very impressed that she'd asked my opinion, and I understood that the risk of infection to the baby and I was increasing the longer my water was broken. I decided to accept the pitocin.

4:30 p.m. to around 7:30 p.m.: The pitocin worked. It sped up my contractions, and I was definitely on my way to giving birth. At first, my doulas and Landon sat across the room from me, talking and laughing until I would have a contraction. As soon as they saw me close my eyes and start to breathe, they would quiet. As contractions intensified, I started to hum through them. I focused on relaxing my muscles as much as possible and listened to the scripture lullabies Landon set up to play on my laptop. At one point, the doulas offered to help me through contractions by pushing on both my hips and a pressure point in my back. It helped. In between contractions, I tried to relax as much as possible, to get as close to sleep as possible. I can remember several times, opening my eyes after contractions to see Landon watching me. His hands were up around his face, and I could tell he was praying for me. One particularly vivid memory I have is opening my eyes after a difficult contraction to meet his, like his face was the only thing in the room. He nodded silent encouragement. It helped a lot.

around 8 p.m.: Things were starting to hurt. I asked to get checked because I was starting to feel pressure. They hadn't checked me since I arrived because they try to avoid it once your water is broken. I was a 6. I started to lose focus and after a couple more contractions asked to be checked again because the pressure was increasing. The nurse checked me again. She said I was a 7. At this point, I was in serious pain and lost hope that I could do it without medication. The pressure was overwhelming, and I literally started screaming for an epidural. The nurses said OK and ushered my visitors out of the room to wait on the anesthesiologist. I shouted for her to hurry, asked where she was, and cried out to Jesus over and over. I was literally writhing in pain and Evelyn had to hold me on the bed. Looking back, I know I was in transition and was ready to push before anyone -- me included -- realized it.

8:10 p.m.: The anesthesiologist arrived, and I was still writhing in pain. With each contraction I was hit with an overwhelming, unbelievable urge to push. The nurse tried to tell me I had to sit up and back on the bed -- sit still -- in order to get the epidural. I leaned over on her and was basically climbing her. Finally, I threw myself back diagonally on the bed and said, "She's coming oooouuut!" as I gave into the urge. I could hear the nurses start scurrying as they told each other, "OK! The head is out! Her head is out!" Then Evelyn got in my ear and said, "Sarah! You have to focus! You are gonna push the baby out now! Push her shoulders out! Push!" They had me pull my legs back and being able to focus on pushing was so much better than thinking I was going to have to keep waiting for an epidural. Evelyn's stern direction was very helpful.

8:21 p.m.: I pushed a couple times, her shoulders came out with a great gush, and the rest of her slipped afterward. The relief was immediate. I have never felt so wonderful. The first thing I said was, "I'm SO glad she's out!" My mind and eyes were clear again. Then I wanted to know how big she was and why I couldn't hear her crying. The nurses told me she was big and beautiful, and she was just fine. Seconds later I heard her perfect cry. At 8:21 p.m. on Friday, June 24, my second daughter -- beautiful, perfect and healthy -- arrived into the world.

8 pounds*14 ounces*21 inches*perfect

A.L. (after Lylah): She was totally perfect. Is totally perfect. A big girl with thick, dark hair and long fingers and toes. She latched on right away and nursed for a long time. I didn't tear at all. Ellie and Grayson came up about an hour after she was born and were smitten from the start.

"Finally, Baby Lylah is here!"

Now: I am still replaying the scenes of Lylah's birth over and over in my head. I imagine I will be for a long time. It is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I am still working through some thoughts on the whole thing, which I'm sure I will articulate in coming days. Or not. All I know is 1.) I got the most amazing gift for my effort and 2.) doctors aren't even needed for catching. Dr. Sutliff missed the whole thing.

My sweetest Lylah,

I can't even begin, my love. You have already marked me for life. You'd think I'd understand it by now, but the overwhelming, incomprehensible love I feel for you, my baby, is unbelievable. I cannot wait to watch you grow; to see if your hair stays dark. I can't wait to watch you with your siblings and with your daddy. I can't wait to see the calling on your life -- that people have already heard from the Lord on -- come to fruition. You, my sweet third child, have shown me I can be strong with help from God. I can't wait to teach you about Him. I love you with every fiber of my being. It really, truly hurts. Welcome to the world.

Love,

Mama

baby clothes.

2011-06-23T14:04:00.010-05:00

lylah's newborn clothes, grayson's closet

because lylah's nook has minimal storage, her clothes are sort of spread around the house in pockets of available space. above is her newborn (read: teensy) clothing collection, which, based on today's doctor's appointment, she may or may not be able to wear for longer than 10 minutes. (doctor estimates she weighs around 8.5 pounds right now!) either way, they are super sweet and tiny.

then her 0-3 month and 3 month clothes are in one of the drawers in ellie's dresser. ellie has a ton of closet space plus her dresser, and her clothes don't use anywhere near all of the space. also, the girls will eventually share a room so it made sense to store some of lylah's clothes in that dresser.

a few of lylah's things were her sister's, but they have birthdays in opposite seasons so there's not much. the rest has been carefully curated over the past few months from resale shops, consignment sales, thrift stores and various other shopping stops. she also has several things that were gifts from family and friends.

there's a second drawer in ellie's dresser that holds summery clothes in 3-6 months, which we may or may not get to before it gets cooler, depending on how big a girl she is. the far right pile are cooler weather items in larger sizes.

she doesn't have nearly the quantity of clothing that ellie (or even grayson) had, but i kind of like it that way. i adore all of it, and it's much less overwhelming now and come laundry time.

yay for playing in sweet baby girl clothes!

nursery nook: complete! (photos.)

2011-06-23T13:48:00.026-05:00

i posted a video tour the other day, but here is the finished nursery nook in photos. landon made endless fun of my vlog. he said i was using my "martha stewart" voice. whatev. i have it on good authority that people liked my vlog, landon. enjoy the photos as well.

ellie in the early evening.

2011-06-22T18:57:00.012-05:00

as i was uploading these, i had visions of the same facial expressions on her 15-year-old face. and then her 4-year-old face interrupted my ~~nightmare~~ daydream with the presentation of a collage upon which she had repurposed her orange-flavored lip smackers as adhesive.

p.s. yeah, yeah. i realize that the one with she and gray hugging should be stricken from my teenage-year musings. probably not gonna happen.
p.p.s. yes. her mouth is always open.
p.p.p.s. see post below for the effects of imagining ellie henry as a teenager + lip smacker adhesive.

wordless wednesday.

2011-06-22T12:09:00.002-05:00

A.L.

2011-06-21T17:35:00.005-05:00

since october when i found out i was pregnant, everything has been about "before lylah." (OK, so we didn't know her name in october, but you know what i mean.) "this will happen, this has to get done, that will happen before lylah gets here." it's as if there has been a looming deadline at the end of june that has been on the horizon for, well, nine months. everything has been measured in this time before her arrival. afterwards? who cares! B.L.! get it done!

today, a particularly difficult day of waiting (as if there are easy days of waiting any more) that saw the announcement of two other babies (that aren't mine!) delivered, i had a thought: there does in fact exist "after lylah." it started when the women's retreat randomly popped up in my head, and i realized that lylah will go with me to that. and then i started thinking about how we'll have birthday parties and school will start and thanksgiving and christmas will come and...lylah will be with us. A.L....after lylah.

it was just a sweet moment of perspective that as minutes crawl by to the (no-one-knows-it-and-it's-driving-me-insane) deadline, there is so much to look forward to right past that! she's coming! and she's gonna be with us! just a perfect addition to our family.

how very, very exciting (hormonal pregnant lady sob!)!

lylah ruth: 39 weeks, 1 day.

play dough on the porch.

2011-06-21T16:26:00.005-05:00